Psalms 119:149

ק֭וֹלִי שִׁמְעָ֣ה כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי

Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

שִׁמְעָ ֣ה

שִׁמְעָ

Root word heard, hear, hearken, hearkened, obey, …

֣ה

Suffix poetic ending — no change in meaning

Dictionary form: שָׁמַע · shaw-MA

Verb — Qal, Imperative, second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: hear

hear ×182 heard ×140 hearken ×67 hearkened ×35 and hear ×28 obey ×18 to hear ×18 i have heard ×17

More options

hear — Most natural default; covers auditory perception broadly.

listen — Implies attentiveness; prefer when active attention is stressed.

obey — Use when compliance or submission to a command is in view.

heed — Blends listening and obeying; good for warnings or instructions.

pay attention — Emphatic register; suits solemn or urgent calls to listen.

understand — Use when comprehension, not just audition, is the focus.

BDB8819 H8085

שָׁמַע₁₁₅₉ verb hear (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician שמע Lzb³⁷⁸; Assyrian šemû; Arabic ; Sabean סמע mostly in derivatives, especially epithet of divinity סמע he who hears Hom^{Chr 124} Fell^{ZMG liv (1900), 250, 252} DHM^{Hofmus. No. 10, 1. 1}; Ethiopic Aramaic שְׁמַע, , Old Aramaic שמע Lzb³⁷⁸; compare also משמעת MI²⁸ obedience); —

Qal₁₀₅₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Gen 24:52 +, שָׁמֵ֑עַ Jer 36:13 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular שָׁמַ֫עַתְּ 1Kgs 1:11 + 2 t.; 3 plural שָׁמֵ֑עוּ Judg 2:17 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמַע Exod 6:30 +, 1 singular cohortative אֶשְׁמְעָה Num 9:8, וָאֶשְׁמְָעָה (on ְָ֯ compare Ges^{«GKC:10h»§ 10h}; Ol^{§ 65 c question} reading) Dan 8:13 2 masculine plural תִּשְׁמְע֔וּן Deut 8:20 +, תִּשְׁמָע֔וּן Deut 1:17, etc.; Imperative masculine singular שְׁמַע Amos 7:16 +, שִׁמְעָךְ Job 32:10 + (especially Psalms), שְׁמָ֨עָךְ֨ Dan 9:19 feminine plural שְׁמַעְנָה Isa 32:9; Jer 9:19, שְׁמַ֫עַן Gen 4:23 (Ges^{«GKC:46f»§ 46f}), etc.; Infinitive absolute שָׁמוֺעַ Isa 6:9 +; construct שְׁמֹעַ 1Sam 15:22 +; suffix שָׁמְעו Deut 29:18 +, שָׁמְעָתוֺ Isa 30:19 (Gen 18:10 + etc.; —

1. subject human person (or thing personified):
a. hear (perceive by ear), accusative of thing, especially קוֺל Gen 3:10 (J) + 46 t., דבר(יםׅ Amos 8:11 + 50 t., etc.; accusative חָכְמָה i.e. wise sayings 1Kgs 5:14 + 4 t.; so any utterance or sound (approximately 150 t. in all) + (object omitted) Deut 4:33 + 32 t. + (temporal clause) 1Sam 14:27 + 6 t.; very rarely with ב, ׳בְּסוֺד י ׳שׁ Job 15:8 with object clause, ׳כִּ Exod 4:31 + 52 t. + Isa 39:1b (read ׳כִּי שׁ ᵐ5 ᵑ7 || 2Kgs 20:12), אֶתאֲֿשֶׁר Josh 2:10; Josh 5:1 (both R^D), מַהֹֿ֯ Judg 7:11 +3 t.; without connect. אֹתָהּ ׳שׁ עָשִׂיתִי 2Kgs 19:25 = Isa 37:26 singular oratio recta [direct speech] Isa 40:28; Zech 8:23.
b. accusative of person + מְדַבֵּר hear one speaking Gen 27:6 (J), Jer 26:7; Dan 8:13, so בֹּכֶה Num 11:10 (J), נִבָּא Jer 20:1 מְקַלְלֶ֑ךָ Eccl 7:21 occas. pears. omitted, דֹּבְרִים Gen 37:17 (JE), אֶתמִֿדַּבֵּר Ezek 2:2; Ezek 43:6 (see דבר Hithpa`el); accusative of person only Dan 12:7.
c. with לֵאמֹר only, hear say = hear it said, 1Sam 13:4; 2Sam 19:3; Deut 13:13; Josh 22:11 (P), 1Kgs 16:16 + עַל person concerning Gen 41:15 (E), Isa 37:9 אֶל person id. 2Kgs 19:9.
d. hear of, concerning: (1) accusative of thing, אֵת(כָּלֿ)אֲשֶׁר Exod 18:1; 2Kgs 19:11 + 5 t., דבר(יםׅ 1Sam 3:11 + 4 t., רָעָה Jer 19:3 + 5 t., etc.; כַּאֲשֶׁר 1Sam 23:11; Ps 48:9, כָּואֹת Isa 66:8 hear of anything like this, כָּאֵלֶּךְ Jer 18:13 accusative, etc., omitted Judg 9:46 + 43 t.; (2) less often accusative of person Job 42:5, אֶל person Ezek 19:4, person omitted Deut 9:2 with ב person hear exultantly of their fate Ps 92:12 (probably imitated from || הִכִּיט בְּ v^a; see especially ראךְ 8 a (6)).
e. hear, absolute, = have power to hear, 2Sam 19:36 (with בְּקוֺל ), Isa 21:3; Isa 32:3; Prov 20:12; Zech 7:11 in simile Ps 38:15 with negative of idols Deut 4:28; Ps 115:6 figurative (spiritual power) Jer 5:21; Deut 29:8; Ezek 12:2; Isa 42:20. — Prov 21:28 is probably corrupt, see Toy. feminine hear with attention, interest, listen to (sometimes || חֶאֱןין), חִקְשִׁיב accusative דבר(יםׅ (54 t.) Amos 4:1 +, especially ׳דבר(י) י Num 12:6 (JE) + 45 t.; אִמְרָה Isa 28:23, קוֺל vIsa 28:23, זאֹת Mic 3:9, etc.; often absolute Judg 5:3 + 57 t., + (negative) Ps 38:14 pay no attention; absolute לֵב שֹׁמֵעַ 1Kgs 3:9, אִישׁ שֹׁטֵעַ Prov 21:28.
g. understand (language), שָׂפָחךְ Gen 11:7 (J), Isa 33:19, לָשׁוֺן Deut 28:49, דְּבָרִין Ezek 3:6, מַהיְּֿדַבֵּר Jer 5:15, no accusative Gen 42:23 (E), 2Kgs 18:26 = Isa 36:11.
h. specif of hearing a (judicial) casre, דָּבָר Deut 1:17, compare vDeut 1:17 accusative omitted בֵּין person vDeut 1:16, of ׳י Judg 11:10 with מִשְׁפָּט 1Kgs 3:11 הִטּוֺב וְהָרֵע ׳לשׁ 2Sam 14:17, וְשֹׁמֵע אֵין לְךָ 2Sam 15:3, compare Job 31:35.
i. with accusative of person in polite address, hear us (me)! Gen 23:6; Gen 23:8; Gen 23:11; Gen 23:13; Gen 23:15 (all P), 1Chr 28:2; 2Chr 13:4; 2Chr 15:2; 2Chr 20:20
j. listen, give heed (sometimes || הִקְשִׁיב), absolute, Gen 42:21 (E) + 18: t., + (usually || הִטָּה אֹ׃ון), Jer 7:13 + 14 t. Jeremiah, + (opposed to חָדַל) Ezek 2:5 + 3 t. Ezekiel; + שִׂים עַללֵֿב Mal 2:2 hear + do Deut 5:24; 2Kgs 18:12, etc.; = consent, agree, Gen 37:27 (J), grant request Judg 11:17 with ל person (mostly late) Judg 19:25; 1Sam 30:24; Job 15:17 + 16 t., ׳לי Hos 9:17; Lev 26:14; Lev 26:18; Lev 26:21; Lev 26:27 ׳לְדִבְרֵי י 1Sam 15:1, לְעֵצָה Prov 12:15.
k. with אֶל person + listen to, yield to Gen 49:2; Judg 2:17 + 69 t. (׳אֶליֿ 15 t., especially Jer 7:26 + 10 t. Jeremiah), עַל person 2Kgs 20:13 אֶלדִּֿבְרֵי etc., Deut 18:19; Jer 29:10 + 14 t., עַלדִּֿבְרֵי etc., 2Kgs 22:13 + 3 t.; very rarely accusative of thing 1Sam 24:10 (Gi v.1Sam 24:9).

1. לְקוֺל ׳שׁ = id., obey, Gen 3:17 (J) + 11 t. + (׳לְקוֺל י) Judg 2:20; Exod 15:26 (JE). masculine very often, בְּקוֺל ׳שׁ = obey 1Sam 8:7 + 25 t., + ׳שׁ ׳בְּקוֺל י (׳י's word, etc.) Deut 4:30; Jer 3:13 + 65 t. (Deut 18 t., Jer 18 t.). noun obey, with accusative דבר(יםׅ Josh 1:18 + 2 t. + (׳י ׳ד) Jer 11:3 + 5 t. Jeremiah; 1Kgs 12:24 = 2Chr 11:4, etc.; accusative of person Exod 6:12 (P), 2Chr 28:11.
o. absolutebe obedient (especially to ׳י) Isa 1:19; Mic 5:14; Jer 12:17 + 4 t. Jeremiah + 7 t.

2. ׳י (God) subject:
a. accusative קוֺל, דברים, etc., Gen 21:17 (E), 2Kgs 19:4 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 19:16, usually with favour implied Num 20:16; Deut 33:7 +, so especially accusative תְּפִלָּה, תְּחנָּה, etc., 1Kgs 8:45; Ps 6:10 +.
b. object clause כִּי Gen 29:33 (J).
c. no object (32 t.) Isa 59:2; Jer 22:21, usually hear and foregive, help, etc 1Kgs 8:30; 1Kgs 8:32; Isa 30:19 +; hear be angry Ps 78:59, compare Ps 55:20.
d. = be able to hear Isa 59:1; Ps 94:9.
e. בְּקוֺל ׳שׁ = hear (and grant) Gen 30:6 (J) + 6 t. femininehear and answer, with אֶל of city, etc., Gen 21:7; Gen 16:11; 1Kgs 8:28 + 8 t.; with אֶל person Deut 3:36 + 12 t.
g. with לְ of utterance Jer 18:19; Ps 61:6 ל person Josh 24:10 (E).
h. hear, accusative of person + מִתְנוֺדֵד Jer 31:18 favourably, with accusative of person Mic 7:7 + 3 t., so, + ל concerning, Gen 17:20 (P); object omitted 2Kgs 22:19; Ps 22:23 + 3 t. + Ps 34:7; Ps 34:18 (hear and deliver); with temporal clause Jer 11:14 Niph`al₄₂ Perfect 3 masculine singular נִשְׁמַע Gen 45:16 +, etc; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשָּׁמַע Exod 23:13 +, יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ 1Sam 1:13, etc.; Infinitive construct הִשָּׁמַל Esth 2:8 Participle feminine נִשְׁמַ֫עַת Jer 51:46, etc.; —

1. be heard, of voice, sound, etc., 1Sam 1:13; 1Kgs 6:7; Job 26:14 (or 1 plural Qal Imperfect?); of a resort, ֗֗֗ לֵאמֹר ׳נִשׁ Gen 45:16 (E); subject clause, ׳כִּ, Neh 6:1 (ל person), compare clauseוְהַיְהוּדִים חשְׁבִים Neh 6:6 vNeh 6:7 be reported, כַּדְּבָרִיס הָאֵלֶּה (לַמֶּלֶחׅ); be heard, לִפְנֵי אֱםהֶיךָ Dan 10:12.

2. be heard of, כָּמֹהוּ Deut 4:32.

3. be regarded, obeyed, Eccl 9:17 in 2Sam 22:45 = Ps 18:45 it is be obedient (לִיׅ, si vera lectio (read perhaps Qal. compare Now).

4. בְּקוֺלָם ׳וַיִישּׁ 2Chr 30:27 = (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice Pi`el Imperfect 3 masculine singular וַיְשַׁמַּע 1Sam 15:4 he caused the people (accusative) to hear and respond, i.e. he assembled them), so 1Sam 23:8 (see Hiph`il 1 c). Hiph`il₆₃ Perfect 3 masculine singular הִשְׁמִיעַ 1Kgs 15:22 +, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יַשְׁמִעֵנִי Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13 2 masculine singular jussive תַּשְׁמַע Judg 18:23, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix הִשְׁמִיעֵנִי Ps 143:8 feminine singular suffix הַשְׁמִיעִנִי Song 2:14; Song 8:13, etc.; Infinitive construct לַשְׁמִעַ Ps 26:7 (Ges^{«GKC:53q»§ 53q}); Participle מַשְׁמִיעַ Jer 4:15 +, etc.; —

1. of man:
a. cause to hear accusative of person + of thing Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Song 2:14; Song 8:13 + 4 t.; object of thing omitted (= make proclamation to) 1Kgs 15:22 object person omitted Jer 5:20 +; accusative שָׁלוֺם Isa 52:7; Nah 2:1 i.e. proclaimpeace; אָוֶֺן Jer 4:15 (מִן local); קוֺל ׳הַשׁ utter a sound Josh 6:10 (J; || הֵרִיעַ), compare Judg 18:25 (קוֺלְךָ, + עִמָּנוּ), Isa 42:2; Isa 58:4 קוֺל תְּהִלָּתוֺ ׳הִשׁ Ps 66:8 בְּקוֺל תּוֺדָה Ps 26:7.
b. absolute as musical term, sound aloud, בִּמְצִלְתַּיִם לְהִשְׁמִיעַ 1Chr 15:19 (perhaps to mark the time, Gr^{Ps 67} De compare 1Chr 16:5 also Ps 150:5 בְּצִלְצְלֵי שָׁ֑מַע), מַשְׁמִיעִים 1Chr 15:16; 1Chr 15:28; 1Chr 16:42, קוֺל אֶחָד ׳לְהַשׁ 2Chr 5:13 i.e. probably in unison (Prince^{EB iii, 3241}), Neh 12:42.
c. absolute make proclamation (often || הִגִּיד), Amos 3:9; Amos 4:5; Isa 41:26; Jer 4:5 + 6 t. Jeremiah
d. הַשְׁמִיעוּ, accusative of person + אֶל location = summon Jer 50:29, עַל location Jer 51:27 (compare Pi`el).

2. ׳י subject:
a. cause to hear, accusative of person and thing Deut 4:10; Deut 4:36 (מִן local), 2Kgs 7:6 + 4 t.; accusative of person omitted Isa 30:30 + 3 t.; accusative of thing omitted Isa 44:8; Isa 48:5.
b. = tell, accusative of person + כָּזאֹת Judg 13:23 accusative of person only, Isa 42:9 accusative of thing only, Isa 48:3; Ezek 36:15 (אֵלַיִךְ).
c. absolute, make proclamation Isa 43:12; Isa 62:11 (אֶל location).

BDB9967 H8085 H8086

שְׁמַע verb hear (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳שׁ Dan 6:15 1 singular שִׁמְעֵת Dan 5:14; Dan 5:16 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יִשְׁמַע Dan 3:10, 2 m. pl. תִּשְׁמְעוּן Dan 3:5; Dan 3:15 Participle active שָֽׁמְעִין Dan 3:7; Dan 5:23 — hear: = have sense of hearing Dan 5:23 with accusative of sound Dan 3:5; Dan 3:7; Dan 3:10; Dan 3:15, word Dan 6:15 with clause דִּי + עַל person concerning, Dan 5:14; Dan 5:16. Hithpe`el shew oneself obedient: Imperfect 3 masculine plural יִשְׁתַּמְעוּן Dan 7:27, with ל person (probably).

heard, hear, hearken, hearkened, obey, …

šāmaʿ

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

(v) to hear, listen to, obey

(Qal)

to hear (perceive by ear)

to consent, agree

to be heard (of voice or sound)

to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

כְ חַסְדֶּ ֑ךָ

כְ

Prefix — preposition like, as

חַסְדֶּ

Root word mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …

֑ךָ

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: חֵסֵד · hay-SADE

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: according unto thy lovingkindness

his mercy ×45 mercy ×28 kindness ×21 thy lovingkindness ×8 and mercy ×7 thy mercy ×7 of thy mercy ×6 kindly ×5

More options

faithful love — Most scholarly modern default; captures covenant loyalty dimension.

steadfast love — Common in academic translations (RSV, NRSV); emphasizes reliability.

loving kindness — Two-word modernization of KJV compound; warm, devotional register.

mercy — Prefer when context stresses pardon or compassion over covenant.

kindness — Best for interpersonal, non-theological contexts (e.g. Ruth).

loyalty — Use when covenant obligation is the primary emphasis.

BDB2965 H2617

חֶ֫סֶד: 247 noun masculine^{2Sam 16:17} goodness, kindness; — absolute ׳ח Gen 24:12 + 85 t.; חָ֑סֶד Gen 39:21 + 12 t.; construct חֶסֶד 1Sam 20:14 + 8 t.; suffix חַסְדִּי Ps 59:18 + 120 t. suffixes; plural חֲסָדִים Gen 32:11 construct חַסֵדֵי Isa 55:3 + 5 t. (Baer^{Jes p. 79} Ges^{«GKC:93»§ 93}, R, 1. F.); suffix חֲסָדַי Neh 13:14 + 10t. suffixes; (not in H or P). I. of man:

1. kindness of men towards men, in doing favours and benefits 1Sam 20:15; 2Sam 16:17; Ps 141:5; Prov 19:22; Prov 20:6 יהוה ׳ח 1Sam 20:14 the kindness of ׳י (such as he shews, Thes MV; that sworn to by oath to Yahweh Mich Dathe; shewn out of reverence to Yahweh Th Ke); compare אלהים ׳ח 2Sam 9:3 ׳תּוֺרַתאח Prov 31:26 instruction in kindness, kindly instruction עָשָׂה חֶסֶד עִמָּדִי do or shew kindness (in dealing) with me Gen 20:13; Gen 40:14 (E), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 10:2 (עִמִּי in || 1Chr 19:2); with עִם Gen 21:23 (E), Gen 24:12; Gen 24:14; Josh 2:12 (twice in verse); Judg 1:24 (J), Judg 8:35; 1Sam 15:6; 1Sam 2:5; 1Sam 3:8; 1Sam 9:1; 1Sam 9:3a = 1Chr 19:2a, 1Chr 19:2b 2Chr 24:22 with עַל 1Sam 20:8 with לְ 1Kgs 2:7 לפני ׳נשׂא ח obtain kindness before Esth 2:9; Esth 2:17 ׳היטיב ח Ruth 3:10.

2. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy Prov 20:28; Job 6:14 אישׁ חסד merciful man Prov 11:17 (opposed to אַכְזָרִי); ׳מַלְכֵּי ח merciful kings 1Kgs 20:31 ׳עשׂה ח Ps 109:16 in this sense usually with other attributes (see also below II.

2.); || אמת Hos 4:1; Isa 16:5 ואמת ׳ח Prov 3:3; Prov 14:22; Prov 16:6; Prov 20:28 ואמת ׳עשׂה ח Gen 24:49; Gen 47:29; Josh 2:14 (J; RV gives thse under 1); || צדקה Hos 10:12 ׳צדקה וח Prov 21:21 || משׁפט Mic 6:8 ומשׁפט ׳ח Hos 12:7 || חוֺנֵן Ps 109:12 ורחמים ׳ח Zech 7:9; Dan 1:9. — (On Hos 6:4; Hos 6:6 see 3 below)

3. (rarely) affection if Israel to ׳י love to God, piety: נְעוּרַיִךְ ׳ח Jer 2:2 priety of thy youth (|| love of thine espousals to Yahweh); possibly also חַסְדְּכֶם כַּעֲנַןבֹּֿקֶר Hos 6:4 your piety is like a morning cloud (fleeting), and כִּי חֶסֶד חָפַצְתִּי וְלאֹזָֿ֑בַח Hos 6:6 for piety I delight in and not in peace-offering (|| דעת אלהים, compare 1Sam 15:22); — so Wü Now Hi (1Sam 15:4) Che; Ke Hi (1Sam 15:6) al. below 2 (or 1); — נַנְשֵׁי חֶסֶד men of piety Isa 57:1 (|| צַדִּיק); plural pious acts 2Chr 32:32; 2Chr 35:26; Neh 13:14.

4. lovely appearance: כָּלחַֿסְדּוֺ כְּצִיץ הַשָֹּׁדֶה Isa 40:6 all its loveliness as the flower of the field (so Thes Hi De Che Di and others; but δόξα ᵐ5 1Pet 1:24 & gloria ᵑ9 favour an original reading הוֺדוֺ Lo or כְּבֹדוֺ Ew, see Br^{MP 375}; Du הֲדָרוֺ). II. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescendig to the needs of his creatures. He is חַסְדָּם their goodness favour Jonah 2:9 חַסְדִּי Ps 144:2 אֱלֹהֵי חַסְדִּי God of my kindness Ps 59:18 in vPs 59:11 read אֱלֹהַי חַסְדּוֺ my God with his kindness ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ew Hup De Pe Che Bae; his is the kindness Ps 62:13 it is with him Ps 130:7 he delights in it Mic 7:18.

1. specifically lovingkindness:
a. in redemption from enemies and troubles Gen 19:19; Gen 39:21 (J), Exod 15:13 (song), Jer 31:3; Ezra 7:28; Ezra 9:9; Ps 21:8; Ps 31:17; Ps 31:22; Ps 32:10; Ps 33:22; Ps 36:8; Ps 36:11; Ps 42:9; Ps 44:27; Ps 48:10; Ps 59:17; Ps 66:20; Ps 85:8; Ps 90:14; Ps 94:18; Ps 107:8; Ps 107:15; Ps 107:21; Ps 107:31; Ps 143:8; Ps 143:12; Job 37:13; Ruth 1:8; Ruth 2:20 men should trust in it Ps 13:6; Ps 52:10 rejoice in it Ps 31:8 hope in it Ps 33:18; Ps 147:11.
b. in preservation of life from death Ps 6:5; Ps 86:13; Job 10:12.
c. in quickening of spiritual life Ps 109:26; Ps 119:41; Ps 119:76; Ps 119:88; Ps 119:124; Ps 119:149; Ps 119:159.
d. in redemption from sin Ps 25:7; Ps 51:3.
e. in keeping the covenants, with Abraham Mic 7:20 with Moses and Israel שׁמר הַבְּרִית וְ(הַ)חֶסֶד keep-eth the covenant and the lovingkindness Deut 7:9; Deut 7:12; 1Kgs 8:23 = 2Chr 6:14; Neh 1:5; Neh 9:32; Dan 9:4 with David and his dynasty 2Sam 7:15 = 1Chr 17:13; 2Sam 22:51 = Ps 18:51, 1Kgs 3:6 (twice in verse) = 2Chr 1:8; Ps 89:29; Ps 89:34 with the wife Zion Isa 54:10.

2. חֶסֶד is grouped with other divine attributes: חסד ואמת kindness (lovingkindness) and fidelity Gen 24:27 (J), Ps 25:10; Ps 41:11; Ps 40:12; Ps 57:4; Ps 61:8; Ps 85:11; Ps 89:15; Ps 115:1; Ps 138:2 ואמת עם ׳עשׂה ח 2Sam 2:6; 2Sam 15:20 (ᵐ5, see Dr); with אֶתֿ Gen 24:49 ואמת ׳רַב ח Exod 34:6 (JE), Ps 86:15 also || אמת Mic 7:20; Ps 26:3; Ps 117:2 || אֱמוּנָה Ps 88:12; Ps 89:3; Ps 92:3 ׳אמונה וח Ps 89:25 ואמונה ׳ח Ps 98:3 || רחמים Ps 77:9 ורחמים ׳ח Jer 16:5; Hos 2:21; Ps 103:4 ומשׁפט ׳ח Jer 9:23; Ps 101:1 || צדקה Ps 36:11 ׳טוב וח Ps 23:6.

3. the kindness of God is
a. abundant: רַבחֶֿסֶד abundant, plenteous in kindness (goodness) Num 14:18 (J), Neh 9:17 (Qr), Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Ps 86:5; Ps 103:8 (compare Exod 34:6 J E; Ps 86:15); רֹב חַסְדְּךָ Neh 13:22; Ps 5:8; Ps 69:14; Ps 106:7 (ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Aq Targan, to be preferred to ᵑ0 חֲסָדֶיךָ); רֹב חֲסָדָו֯ Lam 3:32; Ps 106:45 (Kt ᵐ5 in both to be preferred).
b. great in extent: ׳נֹּדֶל חִ greatness of thy mercy Num 14:19 (J); ׳נְּדָו֯וֺלחֿ Ps 145:8 it is kept for thousands Exod 34:7 (JE), Jer 32:18, especially of those connected with lovers of ׳י, Exod 20:6 = Deut 5:10 for 1000 generations Deut 7:9 it is great as the heavens Ps 57:11; Ps 103:11, compare Ps 36:6; Ps 108:5 the earth is full of it Ps 33:5; Ps 119:64.
c. everlasting: לעולם חסדוֺ Jer 33:11; 1Chr 16:34; 1Chr 16:41; 2Chr 5:13; 2Chr 7:3; 2Chr 7:6; 2Chr 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Ps 100:5; Ps 106:1; Ps 107:1; Ps 118:1; Ps 118:2; Ps 118:3; Ps 118:4; Ps 118:29; Ps 136:1 (26 t.); חסדךָ לעולם Ps 138:8 מעולם ׳ח ועד עולם Ps 103:17 עולם ׳ח Isa 54:8 אל כּל ׳ח היום Ps 52:3.
d. good: כִּיטֿוֺב חַסְדְּךָ Ps 69:17; Ps 109:21 כי טוב חסדךָ מחיים Ps 63:4.

4. plural mercies, deeds of kindness, the historic displays of lovingkindness to Israel: shewn to Jacob Gen 32:11 (R); but mostly late Isa 63:7; Ps 25:6; Ps 89:2 כְּרֹב חסִדיו Isa 63:7, see 3 a; promised in the Davidic covenant Psalm Isa 89:50 חַסְדֵי דָוִיד mercies to David Isa 55:3; 2Chr 6:42 mercies in general Lam 3:22; Ps 17:7; Ps 107:43f. — חֶסֶד in proper name, masculine ׳בןחֿ see below בֵּן. On Lev 20:17; Prov 14:34 see חֶסֶד below II. חסד.

BDB2970 H2617

II. חֶ֫סֶד noun masculine shame, reproach, only absolute: — הוּא ׳ח Lev 20:17 (H) it is a shame (shameful thing); לְאֻמִּים חַטָּאת ׳ח Prov 14:34 sin is a reproach to peoples.

mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, mercies, goodness, …

ḥēsēd

kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

goodness, kindness, faithfulness

יְ֝הוָ֗ה

Root word a name — transliterate it ("O lord")

Dictionary form: יְהֹוָה · yeh-hoh-WAW

Noun — Proper Name

In the KJV here: o lord

the lord ×2811 of the lord ×1522 and the lord ×457 unto the lord ×342 o lord ×222 am the lord ×158 lord ×67 to the lord ×60

More options

the LORD — Standard modern Bible convention; small-caps signal the divine name.

YHWH — Preserves the Hebrew tetragrammaton; used in scholarly translations.

Yahweh — Reconstructed pronunciation; preferred in academic and some modern versions.

the Lord — General rendering when small-caps convention is unavailable.

God — Use only where context clearly equates YHWH with generic deity.

the Eternal — Captures timeless-existence nuance; used in some progressive translations.

BDB2100 H3068 H3069 H1961 H430 H589 H2022 H6635

יהוה_{c. 6823} i.e. יַהְוֶה proper name, of deity Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel — (

1. ᵑ0 יְהוָֺה^C518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהוִֺה₃₀₅ (Qr אֱלֹהִים), in the combinations אדני יהוה & יהוה אדני (see אֲדֹנֶי), and with preposition בַּיהוָֺה, לַיהוָֺה, מֵיהוָֺה (Qr בַּאדֹנָי, לַאדֹנָי, מֵאדֹנָי), do not give the original form. ᵐ5 and other Vrss follow the Qr. On the basis of Exod 20:7; Lev 24:11 יהוה was regarded as a nomen ineffabile (see Philo^{de Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529}), called by the Jews הַשֵּׁם and by the Samaritans שׁימא. The pronunciation Jehovah was unknown until 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but it was contested by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety (compare Bö^{§ 88}). The traditional Ἰαβέ of Theodoret and Epiphanius, the יָֿהוּ, יְהוֺֿ of compound proper name and the contracted form יָהּ all favour יַהְוֶךְ (compare יַהֲלֹמ֑וּן Ps 74:6 תַּהֲרוּ Isa 33:11), see Lag^{Sym i.14} Baud^{Studien i.179 ff.}; Dr^{Stud.Bib.i.1 ff.} For Jeve see Sta^{ZAW 1881, 346} De^{ib.1882, 173 f. & Gn. Excurs. ii.}

2. on literature of interpretations see Nes^Eg.67 Dr^{l.c. — Many recent scholars explain} יַהְוֶה as Hiph`il of היה (=היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver (compare חַוָּה Gen 3:20) Schr HSch; giver of existence, creator, Kue Tiele; he who brings to pass (so already Le Clerc),performer of his promises, Lag, Nes^Eg.88 (but Nes^{Eg.91 inclines to Qal as} RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev} see below); or from היה he who causes to fall, rain or lightning RS^{OTJC.ed.1, 423; om.ed.2, 245}, compare We^{Skizzen iii.175}; 'Fäller,' destroying foes, Sta^G.i.429 (dubiously). But most take it as Qal of הוה (= היה); the one who is: i.e. the absolute and unchangeable one, Ri; the existing, ever living, as self-consistent and unchangeable, Di; or the one ever coming into manifestation as the God of redemption, De Oehl; compare also RS^{Brit. & For. Ev. Rev. 1876}, he will be it, i.e all that his servants look for (compare Ew^infr), he will approve himself (give evidence of being, assert his being Dr^l.c.17)).

**Theories of non-Hebrew or non-Semitic origin, opposed (in their older forms) by Bau^{Rel. i. 181 ff. (see especially 230)}; Dl^{Pa 162 ff.} claimed Babylonian origin for יהו, against this Kue^{national Religions, etc., Note iv (Eng. Trans. 329 ff.)} Jastr^{JBL xiil {1894}, 103 f.} compare Hpt^{BAS i. 170 N}; Dl^{Babel u. Bibel, 46 f., 73 f.} makes same claim for יהוה, against this see especially Hirsch^{ZAW xxiil {1903}, 355 ff.} Zim^{KATS. 465 ff.}; Spiegelb^{ZMG:liii {1899}, 633 ff.} proposes (improbable) Egyptian etymology for יהוה; further discussions see in Kö^{EB NAMES, § 112 and n.3}. 'Jehovah' found in Jacob (? Johannes) Wessel († 1480), according to Schw^{ThLZ, 1905, col. 612}.

I. יהוה is not used by E in Genesis, but is given Exod 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb, and is explained thus : אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ I shall be with thee (Exod 3:12), which is then implied in אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה I shall be the one who will be it vExod 3:14a (i.e: with thee vExod 3:12) and then compressed into אֶהְיֶה vExod 3:14b (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12), which then is given in the nominal form יהוה He who will be it vExod 3:15 (i.e. with thee vExod 3:12). compare Ew^{BTh ii. 337, 338} RS^{l.c., Proph. 385 ff.} Other interpretations are: I am he who I am, i.e. it is no concern of yours (Le Clerc Lag^{Psalt.Hieron.156}); I am (this is my name), inasmuch as I am (אֲשֶׁר = כִּי; AE JDMich We^JD Th xxi, 540 = compare Hexateuch 72); Di and others I am who I am, he who is essentially unnameable, inexplicable, — E uses יהוה sparingly by the side of אלהים and האלהים in his subsequent narrative. The Ephraimitic writers in Judges Samuel Kings use it in similar proportions. P abstains from the use of יהוה until he gives an account of its revelation to Moses Exod 6:3 but subsequently uses it freely. He gives no explanation of its meaning. He represents that אֵל שַׁדַּי was the God of the patriarchs. J uses יהוה from the beginning of his narrative, possibly explaining it, Gen 21:83 by אל עולם, the evergreen tamarisk being a symbol of the ever-living God; compare De Gen 21:33. Elsewhere יהוה is the common divine name in pre-exilic writers, but in post-exilic writers gradually falls into disuse, and is supplanted by אלהים and אדני. In Job it is used 31 t. in prose parts, and Job 12:9 (a proverb); not elsewhere in the poem. Chronicles apart from his sources prefers אלהים and האלהים. Daniel uses יהוה only in chap. 9 (7 t.); Ecclesiastes not at all. In the Elohistic group of Psalm 42-83 it is used 39 t. (see אלהים) . It occurs as the name of Israel's God MI¹⁸. It is doubtful whether it was used by other branches of the Shemitic family, compare COT Gen 2:4b Dl^{Pa 158 ff.} Dr^{Stud. Bib. i. 7 ff}.

II. 1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D;
a. with אֱלֹהֶיךָ in the Ten Words Exod 20:2-12 (5 t.) = Deut 5:6-16 in the law of worship of J E, Exod 23:19; Exod 34:24; Exod 34:26 in D 234 t.; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:17; Josh 9:9; Josh 9:24 (D²); elsewhere Gen 27:20; Exod 15:26 (JE), Judg 6:26 Samuel & Kings 20 t.; 1Chr 11:2; 1Chr 22:11; 1Chr 22:12; 2Chr 9:8 (twice in verse); 2Chr 16:7; Isa 7:11; Isa 37:4 (twice in verse); Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 51:15; Isa 55:5; Jer 40:2 + (3t.); Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4; Hos 14:2; Amos 9:15; Ps 81:11.
b. with אֱלֹהֵיכֶם in D 46 t.; D² 28 t.; H 15 t.; P 15 t.; elsewhere Exod 23:25 (E); Exod 8:24; Exod 10:8; Exod 10:16; Exod 10:17 (JE); Judg 6:10; 1Sam 12:12; 1Sam 12:14; 2Kgs 17:39; 2Kgs 23:21; 1Chr 22:18 + (10 t. Chronicles) Ps 76:12; Jer 13:16 + (5 t.) Ezek 20:5; Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Ezek 20:20; Joel 2:13 + (6 t.) Zech 6:15.
c. with אֱלֹהֵינוּ in D 23 t.; in D² 5 t.; Exod 8:6 (JE) Exod 3:18; Exod 5:3; Exod 8:22; Exod 8:23; Exod 10:25; Exod 10:26 (E) Judg 11:24; 1Sam 7:8; 1Kgs 8:57; 1Kgs 8:59; 1Kgs 8:61; 1Kgs 8:65; 2Kgs 18:22; 2Kgs 19:10 = Isa 36:7; Isa 37:20; 1Chr 13:2 + (15 t. Chronicles) Mic 4:5; Mic 7:17; Isa 26:13; Jer 3:22 + (17 t.) Ps 20:8; Ps 90:17 (?;Baer אֲדנָֹי); Ps 94:23; Ps 99:5; Ps 99:8; Ps 99:9 (twice in verse); Ps 105:7; Ps 106:47; Ps 113:5; Ps 122:9; Ps 123:2; Dan 9:10; Dan 9:13; Dan 9:14.
d. with אֱלֹהֵיהֶם Exod 10:7 (J) Exod 29:46 (twice in verse); Lev 26:44 (P) Judg 3:7; Judg 8:34; 1Sam 12:9; 1Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 17:7; 2Kgs 17:9; 2Kgs 17:14; 2Kgs 17:16; 2Kgs 17:19; 2Kgs 18:12; 2Chr 31:6; 2Chr 33:17; 2Chr 34:33; Neh 9:3 (twice in verse); Neh 9:4; Jer 3:21; Jer 22:9; Jer 30:9; Jer 43:1 (twice in verse); Jer 50:4; Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28; Hos 1:7; Hos 3:5; Hos 7:10; Zeph 2:7; Hag 1:12 (twice in verse); Zech 9:16; Zech 10:6.
e. with אֱלֹהָיו Num 23:21 (E) Exod 32:11 (J) Lev 4:22 (P) Deut 17:19; Deut 18:7; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:17; 1Kgs 11:4; 1Kgs 15:3; 1Kgs 15:4; 1Kgs 2:11; 1Kgs 16:2; 1Kgs 2:1 + 13 t. Chronicles; Mic 5:3; Jer 7:28; Ps 33:12; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:5; Jonah 2:2. feminine with אֱלֹהַי Num 22:18 (JE) Deut 4:5; Deut 18:16; Deut 26:14; Josh 14:8; Josh 14:9; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:7; 1Kgs 5:18; 1Kgs 5:19; 1Kgs 8:28; 1Kgs 17:20; 1Kgs 17:21; 1Chr 21:17; 1Chr 22:7; 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 6:19; 2Chr 9:5; Ps 7:2; Ps 7:4; Ps 13:4; Ps 18:29; Ps 30:3; Ps 30:13; Ps 35:24; Ps 40:6; Ps 104:1; Ps 109:26; Isa 25:1; Jer 31:18; Dan 9:4; Dan 9:20; Jonah 2:7; Hab 1:12; Zech 11:4; Zech 13:9; Zech 14:5.
g. with אֱלֹהַיִךְ Isa 60:9; Jer 2:17; Jer 2:19; Jer 3:13; Mic 7:10; Zeph 3:17.
h. with אלהים, probably always due to later editors, or to a Qr which has crept into the text Gen 2:4b — Gen 3:23 (J, 20 t. either אלהים inserted by R^P as Di De; or יהוה inserted by J in an older source); Exod 9:30 (J, but not in ᵐ5 ⅏; Samaritan אדני יהוה; possibly ᵑ0 from earlier Qr, & ⅏ from later Qr); 2Sam 7:22; 2Sam 7:25 (ᵐ5 אדני יהוה and 1Chr 17:20-23 only יהוה); 1Chr 17:16; 1Chr 17:17 (but 2Sam 7:18; 2Sam 7:19 אדני יהוה) 1Chr 28:20; 1Chr 29:1; 2Chr 1:9; 2Chr 6:41 (twice in verse); 2Chr 6:42; 2Chr 26:18 (but in the original Ps 132:8 stood יהוה (so ℌ), or else no divine name); Ps 72:18 (the late doxology) Ps 84:12 (but it makes the line too long); Jonah 4:6. For the combinations with other divine names see those names.

2. the phrase אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy: —
a. after אמר either alone Exod 6:2; Exod 6:29 (P) or before relative and other clauses: Gen 28:13 (J) Gen 15:7 (R) Exod 6:6 (P) with אלהיכם Judg 6:10; Ezek 20:5.
b. after ידע כי (α) Exod 7:17; Exod 8:18; Exod 10:2 (J); Exod 7:5; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:18 (P); 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28; Jer 24:7; Ezek 6:7 + 48 t. Ezekiel; (β) with אלהיכם Exod 6:7; Exod 16:12; Deut 29:5 (P) Exod 20:20; Joel 4:17 (γ) with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 (P) Ezek 28:26; Ezek 34:30; Ezek 39:22; Ezek 39:28 (δ) before relative and other clauses Isa 45:3; Isa 49:23; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16; Ezek 7:9; Ezek 17:24; Ezek 21:10; Ezek 22:22; Ezek 35:12; Ezek 36:36 (ε) with various forms of קדשׁ Exod 31:13 (P) Ezek 20:12; Ezek 37:28; Ezek 39:7 (ζ) with דברתי Ezek 5:13; Ezek 17:21, compare ׳יֵדְעוּ אשׁר אני י Ezek 20:26.
c. after כִּי in various combinations Lev 11:44; Lev 11:45; Num 35:34 (P), Lev 20:7; Lev 20:26; Lev 21:8; Lev 21:15; Lev 21:23; Lev 22:16; Lev 24:22; Lev 25:17; Lev 26:1; Lev 26:44 (all H); Exod 15:26 (R) Isa 41:13; Isa 43:3; Isa 61:8; Jer 9:23; Ezek 12:25; Ezek 21:4; Zech 10:6; Mal 3:6.
d. emphatic Exod 6:8; Exod 12:12; Lev 26:2; Lev 26:45; Num 3:13; Num 3:41; Num 3:45 (all P); Lev 18:5; Lev 18:6; Lev 18:21; Lev 19:12; Lev 19:14; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 19:28; Lev 19:30; Lev 19:32; Lev 19:37; Lev 21:12; Lev 22:2; Lev 22:3; Lev 22:8; Lev 22:30; Lev 22:31; Lev 22:33 (all H) Isa 43:15 with אלהיהם Exod 29:46 with אלהיךָ Isa 48:17 with אלהיכם Lev 23:43; Lev 25:38; Lev 25:55; Num 10:10; Num 15:41 (twice in verse) (P) Lev 18:2; Lev 18:4; Lev 18:30; Lev 19:2; Lev 19:3; Lev 19:4; Lev 19:10; Lev 19:25; Lev 19:31; Lev 19:34; Lev 19:36; Lev 20:24; Lev 23:22; Lev 26:13 (all H) Ezek 20:7; Ezek 20:19; Joel 2:27 with מְקַדֵּשׁ Lev 20:8; Lev 22:9; Lev 22:32 (H), with דברתי Num 14:35 (P) Ezek 5:15 + (11 t. Ezekiel); with clauses Isa 27:3; Isa 41:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 42:6; Isa 42:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 45:6; Isa 45:7; Isa 45:8; Isa 45:18; Isa 45:19; Isa 45:21; Isa 60:22; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:27; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7; Ezek 14:9; Ezek 34:24 אָנֹכִי יהוה is used in the Ten Words Exod 20:2; Exod 20:5 = Deut 5:6; Deut 5:9 cited Ps 81:11; Hos 12:10; Hos 13:4 elsewhere only Exod 4:11 (J) Isa 43:11; Isa 44:24; Isa 51:15.

3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh יהוה יראה Gen 22:14 (J); יהוה נסי Exod 17:15 (E) יהוה שׁלים Judg 6:24 יהוה צדקנו Jer 33:16 (compare Jer 23:6 where it is applied to the Messiah); יהוה שָׁ֑מָּה Ezek 48:35. — On combinations such as ׳הַר י, צְבָאוֺת ׳י etc., see הַר, צָבָא, etc.

Note. — Bonk^{ZAW 1891, 126 ff.} seems to shew that as prefix, in compare proper name, יְהוֺ is the oldest and the latest form and that יוֺ is intermediate, belonging to the earlier post-exilic period until the time of Chronicles; occasional copyists' mistakes being taken into the account.

BDB3475 H3068

׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above.

BDB3483 H3068 H3069

יהוה proper name, of deity, see below הוה.

BDB3489 H3068 H3097

׳יו = ׳יְהוֺ proper name compounded with, see below יהוה above: — namely יוֺאָב, יוֺאָח, יוֺאָחָז, יוֺאֵל, יוֺאָשׁ, יוֺיָכִין, יוֺיָקִים, יוֺיָרִיב, יוֺעֵד, יוֺעָשׁ, יוֺקִים, יוֺרָם, יוֺתָם, etc.

lord, lords, god, jehovah, jehovah-jireh, …

yĕhōwâ

the existing One

(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

the proper name of the one true God

unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

חַיֵּֽ נִי

חַיֵּֽ

Root word live, lived, alive, save, quicken, …

נִי

Suffix — pronoun my / me

Dictionary form: חָיָה · haw-YAW

Verb — Piel, Imperative, second person masculine singular intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" a command — try "___!" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: quicken

live ×35 and lived ×31 shall live ×12 and live ×11 god save ×8 lived ×8 quicken ×8 he shall surely ×7

More options

live — Core rendering; broad and natural in most contexts.

survive — Prefer when life is threatened or at stake.

revive — Use for restoration from near-death or weakness.

recover — Good for healing from illness or injury contexts.

keep alive — Highlights preservation; suits causative (Hiphil) forms.

spare — Fits contexts of being saved from death by another's action.

BDB2592 H2421

I. חוה (Phoenician חוא live = Hebrew חָיָה q. v.)

BDB2715 H2421 H2425

חָיָה₂₈₃ verb live (Late Hebrew Phoenician id.; Arabic , ; Sabean חיו Mordt^{ZMG 1876, 28}; Ethiopic Aramaic , חֲיָא; Palmyrene חיי life, life-time, Vog^{32, 74}) —

Qal₂₀₃ Perfect חָיָה Eccl 6:6 + 4 t.; יְ֯חָיָה Jer 21:9; Jer 38:2 חַי Gen 5:5 + 23 t. (this and the following form are treated as עע֞, the original weakness of the stem final י admitting of either לה֞ or עע֞, Ges^{«GKC:76»§ 76} (2) g); וְחֵי Lev 25:36 (Bö^{§ 1181}); 3 feminine singular חָֽיְתָה Gen 12:13; Jer 38:17 וָחָ֑יָה Exod 1:16 (for חַיָּה Bö^{§ 1123} (3), Samaritan חיתה); 2 masculine singular חָיִיתָ Deut 30:16, חָיִתָה Jer 38:17 3 masculine plural חָיוּ Num 14:38, וְחָיוּ consecutive Num 4:19 + Zech 10:9 (where read Pi`el וְחִיּוּ Sta^{ZAW i. 1881, 22} so ᵐ5); וִחְיִיתֶם Ezek 37:5 + 2 t.; Imperfect יִחְיֶה Gen 17:18 + 27 t.; יְחִי Deut 33:6 + 10 t.; וִיחִי Ps 49:10 + 2 t.; וְיֶחִ֑י Isa 38:21, וַיְחִי Gen 5:3 + 37 t.; וַיֶּחִ֑י Deut 4:33 + 4 t.; 3 feminine singular תִּחְיֶה Josh 6:17, תְּחִי Gen 19:20 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular תִּחְיֶה Gen 27:40 + 7 t.; 2 feminine singular תִּחְיִי 2Kgs 4:7 1 singular אֶחְיֶה 2Kgs 1:2 + 8 t.; 3 masculine plural יִחְיוּ Josh 9:21 + 8 t.; 3 feminine plural תִּחְיֶינָה Ezek 13:19; Ezek 37:3 2 masculine plural תִּחְיוּ Deut 4:1 + 2 t.; תִּחְיוּן Deut 5:30; Deut 8:1 1 plural נִחְיֶה 2Kgs 7:4 + 7 t.; Imperative וֶחְיֵה Gen 20:7; Prov 4:4, וֶחְיֶ֯ה Prov 7:2 feminine singular חֲיִי Ezek 16:6 (twice in verse); masculine plural וִחְיוּ Gen 42:18 + 7 t.; Infinitive absolute חָיֹה 2Kgs 8:10 + 6 t.; חָיוֺ Ezek 3:21 + 3 t.; construct לִחְיוֺת Ezek 33:12, suffix חֲיוֺתָם Josh 5:8 —

1. live:
a. have life, Gen 31:32 (E), Exod 33:20 (J), Num 4:19 (P), Deut 30:16 +; also in phrase וַיְחִי and he lived (so many years) with accusative of time, Gen 5:3-30 (16 t.) Gen 9:28; Gen 11:11-26 (14 t.) Gen 47:28 (all P), Gen 50:22 (E), 2Kgs 14:17 = 2Chr 25:25; Job 42:16.
b. continue in life, remain alive Gen 20:7 (E), Lev 25:36; 2Sam 12:22 +; also נפשׁ ׳ח live, of the soul or the self Gen 12:13; Gen 19:20 (J), 1Kgs 20:32; Ps 119:175; Jer 38:2; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:20; Isa 55:3 וְחַי הַיָּ֑לֶד and the boy may live 2Sam 12:22 לִפְנֵי ׳ח live in the presence of Gen 17:18 (P) Hos 6:2 ׳ב ׳ח live among Lam 4:20.
c. sustain life, live on or upon (על), of the animal life, by the sword Gen 27:40 (J), by bread Deut 8:3 elsewhere in pregnant sense of fulness of life in divine favour, sustained by (על) everything that issueth out of the mouth of ׳י Deut 8:3 his promises (?) Isa 38:16 of wicked man, by repentance Ezek 33:19 with בְּ by the statutes and judgments of ׳י if a man do them, Lev 18:5 (H) Ezek 20:11; Ezek 20:13; Ezek 20:21; Ezek 20:25; Neh 9:29 צַדִּיק בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֺ יִחְיֶה a righteous man by his faithfulness shall live Hab 2:4.
d. live (prosperously) יְחִי הַמֶּלֶך may the king live 1Sam 10:24; 2Sam 16:16 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 1:25; 1Kgs 1:31; 1Kgs 1:34; 1Kgs 1:39; 2Kgs 11:12; 2Chr 23:11 יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם Ps 22:27; Ps 69:33 המלך לעולם יחיה Neh 2:3.

2. be quickened, revive:
a. from sickness Num 21:8; Num 21:9; Josh 5:8 (E) 2Kgs 1:2; 2Kgs 8:8; 2Kgs 8:9; 2Kgs 8:10; 2Kgs 8:14; 2Kgs 20:1; 2Kgs 20:7 = Isa 38:1; Isa 38:9; Isa 38:21.
b. from discouragement of the spirit Gen 45:27 (E).
c. from faintness Judg 15:19.
d. from death 2Kgs 13:21; Job 14:14; Isa 26:14; Isa 26:19 by return of נפשׁ 1Kgs 17:22, of רוּהַ Ezek 37:3; Ezek 37:5; Ezek 37:6; Ezek 37:9; Ezek 37:10; Ezek 37:14 (and so Judg 15:19 c). Pi`el Perfect 3 masculine singular חִיָּה Ps 22:30 3 feminine singular suffix חִיָּ֑תְנִי Ps 119:50 2 masculine singular suffix חִיִּיתַנִי Ps 30:4 חִיִּיתָ֑נִי Paslm Ps 119:93 3 plural חִיּוּ Judg 21:14, הַחִיִּיתֶם Num 31:15 Imperfect יְחַיֶּה 1Sam 27:9 +, etc.; Imperative suffix חַיֵּנִי Ps 119:25 + 8 t., חַיֵּיהוּ Hab 3:2 Infinitive construct חַיּוֺת Gen 7:3; Ezek 13:19 suffix חַיֹּתֵנוּ Deut 6:24 +, etc.; Participle מְחַיֶּה Neh 9:6; 1Sam 2:6 —

1. preserve alive, let live Exod 1:17; Exod 1:18; Exod 1:22; Exod 22:17; Josh 9:15 (JE), Gen 12:12 (J), Num 31:15 (P), Deut 6:24; Deut 20:16; Judg 21:14; 1Sam 27:9; 1Sam 27:11; 1Kgs 18:5; 2Kgs 7:4; Jer 49:11; Ezek 3:18; Hab 3:2; Job 36:6; Ps 30:4; Ps 33:19; Ps 41:3; Ps 138:7 נפשׁ ׳ח preserve oneself alive Ps 22:30; Ezek 18:27, or preserve persons alive Ezek 13:18; Ezek 13:19, or preserve life 1Kgs 20:31 זרע ׳ח preserve seed alive Gen 7:3; Gen 19:32; Gen 19:34 (J); keep in existence heaven and earth Neh 9:6 nourish, young cow Isa 7:21, lamb 2Sam 12:3.

2. give life, to man when created Job 33:4.

3. quicken, revive, refresh:
a. restore to life, the dead 1Sam 2:6; Deut 32:39; Hos 6:2 the dying Ps 71:20.
b. cause to grow, grain Hos 14:8.
c. restore, a ruined city 1Chr 11:8, stones destroyed by fire Neh 3:34.
d. revive, the people of ׳י by ׳י himself with fulness of life in his favour Ps 80:19; Ps 85:7; Ps 119:25; Ps 119:37; Ps 119:40; Ps 119:50; Ps 119:88; Ps 119:93; Ps 119:107; Ps 119:149; Ps 119:154; Ps 119:156; Ps 119:159; Ps 143:11; Eccl 7:12. Hiph`il Perfect הֶחֱיָה Josh 6:25 + 5 t.; 2 masculine singular suffix הֶחֱיִתָנוּ Gen 47:25 1 singular הֶחֱיֵיתִי Num 22:33, הַחֲיִתֶם Josh 2:13; Judg 8:19 Imperative suffix הַחֲיֵינִי Isa 38:16 הַחֲיוּ Num 31:18 Infinitive absolute הַחֲיֵה Josh 9:20 construct הַחֲיוֺת Gen 6:20 + 6 t.; הַחֲיֹת Gen 6:19; Gen 50:20 suffix הַחֲיֹתוֺ Ezek 13:22 —

1. preserve alive, let live Gen 45:7; Gen 50:20 (E), Gen 47:25; Num 22:33; Josh 2:13; Josh 6:25 (all J), Josh 14:10 (D); Gen 6:19; Gen 6:20; Num 31:18; Josh 9:20 (P), Judg 8:19; 2Sam 8:2; Ezek 13:22 with נפשׁ Gen 19:19 (J).

2. quicken, revive:
a. restore to health, a leper 2Kgs 5:7, Hezekiah Isa 38:16.
b. revive the לֵב and רוּחַ Isa 57:15 (twice in verse).
c. restore to life, the dead 2Kgs 8:1; 2Kgs 8:5 (3 t. in verse).

BDB9521 H2418 H2421

[חֲיָא] verb live (see Biblical Hebrew תָיָה); —

Pe`al Imperative לְעָֽלְמִין חֱיִי live for ever! Dan 2:4; Dan 3:9; Dan 5:10; Dan 6:7; Dan 6:22. Hiph`il Participle מַחֵא (K^{§ 11. 3 b}) γ) Hpt^{Kmp. Dn. 28}) Dan 5:19 let live.

live, lived, alive, save, quicken, …

ḥāyâ

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health

(Qal)

to live

to have life

from sickness

to preserve alive, let live

to restore to life

to preserve alive, let live

to restore (to health)

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.

ק֭וֹלִי Dechi — a lesser break שִׁמְעָ֣ה כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here יְ֝הוָ֗ה Revia Mugrash — a lesser break כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי Silluq — end of the verse

קוֹלִי שִׁמְעָה כְחַסְדֶּךָ יְהוָה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃

149

Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

Cross References

Isaiah 63:7

חַֽסְדֵי יְהוָה׀ אַזְכִּיר תְּהִלֹּת יְהוָה כְּעַל כֹּל אֲשֶׁר-גְּמָלָנוּ יְהוָה וְרַב-טוּב לְבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר-גְּמָלָם כְּֽרַחֲמָיו וּכְרֹב חֲסָדָֽיו׃

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

Psalms 51:1

‫(הרבה)‬ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהִים כְּחַסְדֶּךָ כְּרֹב רַחֲמֶיךָ מְחֵה פְשָׁעָֽי׃